Functional relationships between allergic rhinitis and asthma.
Functional relationships between allergic rhinitis and asthma.
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DOI：
10.1046/j.1472-9725.2003.00064.x
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发表时间：
2003-02-01
期刊：
影响因子：
--
通讯作者：
Togias, A.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Togias, A.
Allergic rhinitis and asthma should be considered manifestations of one syndrome in two parts of the respiratory tract. In addition, the notion that these entities affect each other should be strongly entertained. The pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis is very similar to that of allergic asthma and their responses to pharmacological and immunological interventions are very comparable, as well. Epidemiological data attest to the strong link; 85% or more of allergic asthmatics have rhinitis and, in cross‐sectional population studies, rhinitis is a major risk factor for asthma. Adults with allergic rhinitis have a threefold higher probability of developing asthma, compared with those without rhinitis. A model has been developed to describe the relationships between allergic rhinitis and asthma. According to the model, the two conditions are linked in a horizontal and a vertical fashion. When both conditions are present, their clinical activity tracks in parallel; however, rhinitis appears as a lone condition in the mildest forms of the syndrome. The vertical relationship reflects the fact that experimentally‐induced allergic reactions in the nose can induce changes in the lower airways and the fact that local treatment of rhinitis can have beneficial effects in patients with asthma. Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain the vertical relationship. Investigation into these mechanisms can offer major insights into the physiological and immunological basis of all allergic conditions.
